Chapter 24 - Determination and Confessions

On the morning of the great day that would finally be glorified by the school, Xiangju rose early with the first rays of the morning sun. Saying he was excited is an understatement; the boy was nearly jumping for joy.

It had been about a month since Ye Ziyun joined the Phoenix Order, and during that time, they trained intensely.

The boy started to change, taking off his blue pajamas and putting on his classic lime green outfit and brown scarf, which used to be loose but now fit his body perfectly. Xiangju felt proud as he touched the firm muscles of his abdomen, so different from the skinny body he had in his past life...

Thinking of the past, the boy fell silent.

"I hope you're well, Maya..." he whispered to the wind.

Far away, in the Winged Dragon Family.

"And that's why I'm telling you, he's going to become a Legendary Rank. Isn't that amazing?" Ning'er spoke excitedly, energetically.

A young woman in traditional pink floral clothing listened attentively to the girl while the elegant woman helped the young girl brush her hair.

The girl had gotten up earlier than usual and, contrary to what she had always said about wanting to be independent, asked her cousin Xiao Ying for help in getting ready.

In her own words:

"Today is Xiang's big day; I have to look presentable!"

"Miss Ning, you're in love with this boy, aren't you?" the woman asked calmly, wanting to see the girl's reaction.

But it was very different from what she expected. The girl's eyes sparkled, and she had a silly smile on her blushing face.

She didn't respond with words but nodded her head vigorously in agreement.

The woman laughed heartily.

"Being young is so wonderful. Have you ever told him how you feel?"

"But of cour-" she interrupted herself, searching her memory. Indeed, she had never said it in words, even though Xiangju always told her.

The woman found the situation amusing again.

"Listen carefully to your old cousin, my dear. Men are simple-minded creatures; if you don't make your feelings clear and stake your claim, it won't be long before some 'vultures' start circling."

"Vultures..? You mean… other girls?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"But… I don't think Xiangju would do something like that, I just haven't told him because…"

"You're not sure about your own feelings?"

"THAT'S NOT IT! I… I love Xiangju! With all my heart!"

"And loving him so much, you really plan to let him be taken by someone else?"

"Never!" The girl said determinedly, but quickly became so worried that tears formed in her eyes.

"Please, cousin Ying, I need your help! How can I make it clear that he is MINE? A ring? I'll buy one now!"

The girl didn't even let her cousin respond, standing up from the stool where Xiao Ying was fixing her hair.

"Calm down, girl! You can't skip so many steps!" Xiao Ying said hurriedly, startled by the girl's excitement.

"But what should I do then???" Ning'er cried, so worried that it physically hurt her to even imagine him with another girl.

"Oh, my dear, first wipe your tears, sit here, I'll give you something."

Xiao Ying said this, pointing to the stool Ning'er was on before. The girl obeyed, sitting in front of her cousin while still sniffling.

Ning'er watched her dear cousin intently, observing carefully as Xiao Ying pulled out a necklace from inside her clothing. The necklace was made of a sturdy black thread, with a shiny red jewel at the end.

"A red jade..?" Ning'er asked curiously as her cousin handed her the necklace.

"You should know about this, right?"

"O-of course, it's a traditional way in Glory City to represent affection. Were you planning to give this to someone? You can keep it, I'll think of something else!" Xiao Ning'er said hurriedly, holding Xiao Ying's hand to return the jewel.

The woman gently made Ning'er hold the necklace with both hands.

Her face bore a gentle smile contrasting with a sad look in her eyes.

"I insist. She's already... anyway, it will be much more useful to you, so make sure of your feelings before you give it, okay?"

Xiao Ying said lovingly, and Ning'er responded by hugging her cousin, which took the woman by surprise. When was the last time she had seen her little cousin show so much emotion? This boy Xiangju must be a good person.

Some time later, running through the streets of the city with a slice of bread in his mouth and putting on his coat as he ran, which was very difficult given the number of people he bumped into and the old lady he knocked over while running, Lu Piao was late.

Cursing himself for deciding to sleep at his parents' house the day before the exam, if he had stayed in the dorm, it wouldn't have taken him even five minutes to get to the exam area.

Along the way, some other boys and girls joined Lu Piao's race, also late.

"Damn, my dad will kill me if I miss this exam!" Lu Piao said as he increased his speed.

Until...

FSHHHHHH

Someone passed Lu Piao, leaving him in the dust.

*Cough Cough* The boy coughed while keeping up his pace.

"That red hair... Wei Nan?"